Eight members of Mwangaza staff pose for a group photo.

Since 1996, Mwangaza has worked in schools and communities to promote peace and education. Mwangaza is a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) in Tanzania.

Meet the Mwangaza Team

  • John Kavishe is a middle aged Tanzanian made with light skin and short black hair. He is wearing a blue button down shirt and is smiling broadly at the camera.

    John Kavishe

    Senior Program Coordinator

    Working for Mwangaza since: 2008

    My favorite part of working for Mwangaza is: Meeting with and learning from people in Tanzania and other countries. I am learning different perspectives regarding education and partnership.

    Non-violence has impacted my life: Both as an individual and as part of a team. I can now re-establish connection with family members more easily when there is a misunderstanding, because I have learned to identify my feelings and needs. As a Mwangaza team member, I have noted that we can understand one another more easily.

  • Salome is a Tanzanian woman with braids pulled into a bun on top of her head. She is wearing a bright blue dress with a colorfully patterned collar.

    Salome Lally

    Senior Program Coordinator

    Working for Mwangaza since: 2009

    My favorite part of working for Mwangaza is: Working with girls and women during seminars.

    Non-violence has impacted my life: I have learned how to identify my feelings and express my needs without causing conflicts or misunderstandings. 

    Read an interview with Salome

  • Richard is a Tanzanian man with dark skin. He is bald and wearing a light blue button down shirt.

    Richard Mbwambo

    Program Coordinator

    Working for Mwangaza since: 2016

    My favorite part of working for Mwangaza is: Working together with my colleagues as we design programs, plan for implementation, and evaluate impact.

    Non-violence has impacted my life: By empowering me with effective skills for communicating with people.

  • Allen is a middle aged Tanzanian man with dark skin. He is bald and wearing a brightly patterned black, orange, and pink button down shirt.

    Allen Ephraim

    Driver

    Working for Mwangaza since: 2000

    My favorite part of working for Mwangaza is: I love my work. I like to do any work that fulfills Mwangaza.

    Non-violence has impacted my life: Because we have been working in the light of God and by doing so.

  • Nemayan is a Tanzanian woman wearing glasses, a white necklace, and a yellow and red patterned dress. Her hair is pulled back into a low ponytail.

    Nemayan Kin'Gori

    Bursar

    Working for Mwangaza since: 2003

    My favorite part of working for Mwangaza is: I get to have more understanding on matters concerning the community in general. It has made me offer my assistance to the needy in my community.

    Non-violence has impacted my life by: Making me patient, tolerant, and kind to all people.

  • Eva is a Tanzanian woman with dark skin and short hair. She is smiling broadly and wearing a white and pink dress with a large flower on it.

    Eva Elibariki

    Office Assistant

    Working for Mwangaza since: 1996

    My favorite part of working for Mwangaza is: Preparing materials for seminars, because I know its worth. I’m glad that the students, teachers, parents, and school staff, together, understand the meaning of safe school. I am proud that in a few years, my grand-children will be studying in a safe school and safe environment.

  • Daudi is a Tanzanian-American man with light skin, short, black hair, and a goatee. He is wearing a white button down shirt.

    Daudi Msseemmaa

    Advisor

    Working for Mwangaza since: 2012

    My favorite part of working for Mwangaza is: Seeing change.

    Non-violence has impacted my life: Because we live in a violent world. It is easy to despair, but even in the most violent places that I visit, there is subversive non-violence. Non-violence has given me a framework for my brain to make sense of what my heart already sees.

    Read an interview with Daudi

  • Phillip is a white American man with short, grey, curly hair and short facial hair. He is smiling broadly and wearing a dark blue button down.

    Phillip Wilder

    Advisor

    Working for Mwangaza since: 2016; volunteering since 1998

    My favorite part of working for Mwangaza is: Teaching and learning together. It is a family - I have learned so much working side-by-side with the members of the Mwangaza family, doing critically important work, supporting students and safety in schools and empowering teachers. It is a beautiful exchange of ideas and I am so lucky.

    Non-violence has impacted my life: Everyone who advocates for non-violence and peace has a path where their own life was brought to non-violence because they were experiencing violence in some way. Non-violence has been a way for me to live, to unlearn who I thought I was, to connect with my feelings and needs, to connect with others, and to have community. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am without non-violence; it is integral to my entire life.

  • Reverend Gideon is a Tanzanian man with dark skin and short hair. He is smiling broadly and wearing a clerical collar and a grey sport coat.

    The Rev. Gideon Kivuyo

    Board Chair

    The Rev. Gideon Kivuyo has served as Mwangaza board chair since 2023.

    My favorite part of being on the Mwangaza board: I like to be part of those who help the Mwangaza partnership achieve its goals, namely to promote peace and education in our schools.

    Non-violence has impacted my life: Because we live in a violent world, peace is the product of non-violence. I always strive for peace and avoid violence. Non-violence has enabled me to bear with other people, even the violent ones. I also assess myself to avoid hurting other people.

  • Johnson is a young Tanzanian man with dark skin and short hair. He is wearing a black t shirt.

    Johnson Laizer

    Communications

    Working for Mwangaza since: 2024

    My favorite part of working for Mwangaza is: Witnessing the transformative impact of education on individuals and communities. Seeing students develop confidence and skills, and watching teachers become more empowered and effective is incredibly rewarding.

    Non-violence has impacted my life: In many ways, including shaping my approach to conflict resolution. Non-violence encourages me to prioritize my needs first and seek empathy, patience, and mutual understanding. It has taught me to seek peaceful solutions rather than resorting to aggression or by using power over someone. Non-violence inspired me to contribute to a more harmonious and just society as a whole.

    Read an interview with Johnson

  • Chloe is a young, white, American woman with wavy, shoulder length brown hair. She wears glasses and a sage green t shirt.

    Chloe "Coco" Ahlf

    Development

    Working for Mwangaza since: 2020

    My favorite part of working for Mwangaza is: Being part of a family of people seeking to grow and develop themselves. I have learned so much from the leaders of Mwangaza, the teachers in the schools, and especially the many students I have met in Tanzania. They have helped me find my own power.

    Non-violence has impacted my life: By helping me identify my needs and prioritize what I can control rather than trying to force an outcome. I am much more at peace with myself, which then means I can be peaceful with others.